A bit expensve but worth it for the safety aspect .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Horse riding is considered a high risk sport so it would make sense to protect something as important as your head. Whatever the level of riding, accidents can always happen, nobody is immune. A hat is a really important piece of equipment, considered essential by most people, though some still have a blase attitude.
Most riders seem to wear hats, but there are those who don`t. Just as worrying are those who wear hats thinking that they are safe, but the hat is so old that it doesn`t offer enough protection.
Horses are animals which means that they have a mind of their own and they may be unpredictable. Even the most dependable and calm of horses can still do something when we least expect it, or a car could cause an accident. You cannot predict what will happen.
There are at least 3000 accidents on the roads each year invovling horses, which equates to 8 a day. Of course there are many more falls not included in these figures of people competing or just riding for pleasure. It is easy to see why riders are at risk.
In 2003 a girl had an unexplained fall from her horse and unfortunately died. It transpired that, although she had a hat on, it was maufactured in 1987 and wasn`t up to current safety standards.
People may think that if their horse is well behaved, things will not happen. Not necessarily true.
One of the girls at my yard had a car drive into the back of her horse (not deliberately) and the horse ended up sitting on the bonnet. Both were OK.
My lovely 4 year old mare (she is now just 5) had a fall with me riding her when on the moor. My poor mare is on box rest indefinitely, she has a fractured pelvis. She may come sound but the vets are not sure. Horses usually recover but apparently it is a difficult place. I may never be able to ride her again! Fingers crossed though, all I can do is give her time. She was bucking in the stable earlier though, she is fed up with being in, but she has to stay in for at least another 5 weeks (it has been 2 months). I feel really sorry for her. Anyway, that aside, I was riding her. I was very lucky in that I escaped injury, completely. I did an involuntary forward roll which I think helped me. The horse didn`t land on me. I had a newish hat (Champion Ventair) on so my head was well protected. There was no reason for the fall, I couldn`t predict it. We just hit a rough piece of ground in the wrong place and fell. This could happen with the most placid of horses.
Is it a Requirement? * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Quite suprisingly, it isn`t a legal requirement to wear a riding hat, though it is for under 14`s. The British Horse Society stress the importance of wearing a hat, not just a hat but within the current standards reference the poor girl above losing her life through wearing an old hat.
When riding at a horse show, it is essential to wear a hat. You won`t be able to ride otherwise. I have heard people being told off over the tanoy for sitting on a horse without a hat, even though they are not competing.
When riding in a cross country event, a lot of them (all that I have been to, though it is not my most frequent discipline) check that your hat is within a certain standard and if it isn`t, you are not allowed to ride. Cross country is one of the most high risk pursuits.
It becomes second nature to wear a hat anyway. I wouldn`t consider riding without one. Sometimes it is a rush to go out and ride with other things happening, we are all busy. One day I was in a hurry. I went out and had been out for about 5 minutes. I realised from people in cars looking at me, that I had forgotten to put my hat on. I was horrified. I felt really guilty as if I was about to be told off. I turned back. Admittedly, I rode back and got my hat. My argument is, when in traffic, you have more control when on the horse than when leading it. I have never forgotten to put my hat on since though.
Standards. * * * * * * * *
The hat that I am reviewing is the Champion ventair. It has a standard of PAS 015,1998. All hats sold now should conform to the required standard and they should carry a kite mark which the Champion ventair does.
It also has a kite marks which is important. The Kite mark indicates that the hats have passed a rigorous quality control system. They are regularly audited and a representation of samples are tested.
The Champion ventair also conforms to European standards which requests that the hat has bottom end protection. Chin cus are now banned. PAS 015 1998 offers the best in terms of shock absorption, penetration and retention.
Standards include:-
EN 1384:1996 BSEN 1384:1997 PAS 015:1998 ASTMF1163 or a higher standard such as:- Snell E2001 BSEN 14572:2005 BSEN 1384:199 is the same as EN 1384:1996, but the BSEN has been tested in Britain.
BSEN 14572:2005 is aimed at competition riders.
Champion. * * * * * * * * *
Champion manufacture hats to current safety standards. They also sell body protectors.
The range of hats that they sell include:-
Ventair Traditional velvet riding hats Helmets Junior helmets.
Champion Ventair. * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Champion Ventair hat is a velvet hat with a go faster stripe down the middle (ventilation). These style of hats first seemed to become popular with showjumpers and I have to admit I didn`t like them at first, I am a bit resistive to change. I had one of the traditional vevlet hats and I thought hats had to look like this. As the hats with the stripe became more popular and various people bought different ones around the yard, I came to like them a bit more. People told me how comfortable they were and I began to like the look, so, I bought the Champion Ventair.
At around £84, the Champion Ventair is not cheap but it is not expensive either. Safety should not have a price. You can buy cheaper and be within the saftey standards but I feel that this is not a bad price.
The Ventair offers performance with safety. It states that it is cool on the outside and cool on the inside. It looks cool as well as keeping your head cool. It is built to perfection, tested to destruction. Tested to British standards. Among the tests are penetration, shock absorption, harness streght, stability. It is continually tested throughout manufacture and has the standard PAS 015 1998.
It has:-
1. A lightweight, high performance shell. 2. Shock absoring polystyrene inner for improved safety. 3. Easily adjustable harness with quick release. 4. Bottom edge protection.
It also has an airflow and is stylish and lightweight.
It is important to change your hat fairly regularly to stay within the current standards.
If you have a fall, it is essential to change your hat. It may not appear damaged but it may be damaged on the inside and not offer complete protection. I don`t fall often but we all do sometimes. My horse fell the last time, it wasn`t my fault.
In actual fact, my previous hat, I must have had for a few years. It was the traditional blue velvet hat with a leather harness, an expensive one. At the start it was quite comfortable but after a while, it began to ride up on my head, I don`t really know why. It obviously wasn`t a good fit any longer. I was fed up with pushing the peak down all the time and decided to buy a new one.
The fit of the hat may change over time, it may become loose when the filling becomes more compressed, I think this is what happened. When this occurs, it is important to change it.
I then decided I did like the look of the go faster stripe and took the plunge to try the Champion Ventair.
Do I recommend? * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I really do. As soon as I tried it on, I realised what a bad fit my other one had been for such a long time. It fitted really well. First of all, it is lightweight. It is easy to put on, the peak stays in the correct place, the harness is easy to do up. The harness is very secure and comfortable, as well as adjustable. The back comes down and stays down, this must be the bottom edge protection. The hat really does stay in place. I don`t have to fiddle with it at all like I did with my last one. The style is just great when it comes to fit. The go faster stripe really is useful as ventilation. It keeps my head cool. There is nothing worse, especially when competing at showjumping on a hot day, or even just riding on a hot day, than a wet and sweaty head. This hat contriubutes toward keeping the head cool, leaving the rider cool, calm and hopefully collected.
When my horse fell and as a consequence I also fell, the hat stayed in place, it didn`t move at all.
It looks good (once you are used to it), it is comfortable and most importantly, it coforms to all safety standards.
Reminders. * * * * * * * * *
Don`t think that, just because you ride a plod, you will not fall off. Everyone is at risk.
Don`t keep your old faithful for years and years. If safety standards are updated, change your hat. Keep up with the standards.
When looking for a hat, always buy one suitable to your requirements. If you are going to ride cross country, you will need higher standards than just hacking (though I would always go for a higher standard anyway). Buy the style suited to the discipline.
Never buy a second hand hat.
Always change your hat after a fall or if you drop it.
If the fit alters, buy a new one.
When you buy a new hat, throw the old one away to remove temptation of someone else using it.
Never forget to put your hat on.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
I have thrown a hat away at the yard and someone has picked it out to use, this is a silly thing to do. Some people just don`t like spending money, not recommended.
I would not ride without a hat. I ride youngsters I am just backing my 3 year old gelding. I also jump (though not every week) so a hat is really important. It is equally important for happy hackers though as you never know what is round the corner.
For any of you thinking of trying riding who haven`t before, make sure you wear a suitable hat. Some riding schools offer hats for hire, but I wouldn`t really recommend this.
For those of you who have had you hat for years, get a new one.
For those of you who have to keep adjusting your hat, try the Champion Ventair, it is a good fit.
Safety cannot be compomised, it just isn`t worth it.
Keep yourselves safe and enjoy riding.
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Price
£84
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